Breathe In (Just Breathe, #1)(111)

“I’m fine.” I lie.

“Jimmy was just . . .” He stands back up as Sadie jumps back on the bed.

“It’s okay.” I offer.

“Good . . .” he humbly accepts. “If you need me, I’m right next door. Okay?” Joe doesn’t come inside my room.

Wow! Did he really listen to what I said earlier about him staying out of my room? I’m impressed.

“Yeah . . .” I agree.

He really is giving me some space.

“Emma . . . .”

“Yeah, Joe.”

“Goodnight, beautiful,” he states in a voice that instantly charms me.

“Goodnight, Joe,” I reply softly.





Twenty Six


As I attempt to lift my heavy eyelids, I discover a hazy darkness surrounding me. Blinking slowly several times, my half-opened eyes won’t focus to give me any clear indication of what’s around me and where the blurry, flashing lights above are coming from. My body feels heavy. Still unable to open my eyes all the way, I perceive that I’m laying down somewhere. A cool dampness near my left cheek reveals itself as a slight gust of air brushes past my face. Sliding my right arm up the side of my body like a snake, my fingers creep to my lips. Drool — or, at least I hope so.

Two large and oddly shaped figures materialize in front of me. They are so close, only a foot or two away. Voices suddenly emanate from the now more defined silhouettes. Their speech sounds muffled and trails off into the distance even as I try to concentrate on their words. Who are they? What are they saying? Why can’t I understand them? One of the voices almost sounds feminine.

Another indistinguishable sound gradually becomes more apparent as it grows louder and the ringing in my ears subsides. It’s the engine of a car. My brain finally starts to put the fuzzy pieces of evidence together. I must have fallen asleep in the back seat. A familiar smell creeps into my nose that reassures me — my mother’s perfume.

“Mom?” my throat squeezes out in a raw, breathy, hoarse tone.

“Wake up, Emma.” Her voice replies in a low sluggish tone.

What is she talking about? I am awake.

A sudden rush of nervousness enters my belly. The car feels as if it’s flying down the road like a rocket ship as the speed of the flashing lights zooming above my head all blur into one.

“Mom,” I try to shout, but not a single sound escapes my mouth this time. Confused, I try again. “Mom!”

She doesn’t hear me. I don’t hear me.

A single, bright white light races towards us, growing larger by the second. My mother turns her head towards me smiling. Why doesn’t she hear me? How does she not see the light?

“Wake up, Emma,” she repeats, this time with a deeper tone.

Confused, I try again. “Mom!”

“Emma, wake up,” the voice commands, getting louder.

My body hurls up as my eyes adjust to a soft light in the room. “Joe?”

“You had another dream. Sadie came to get me. I know you wanted me to stay in my room, but . . .” his voice drops and I jump into his lap, throwing my arms around his neck gripping him tight. “It’s okay. I’ve got you.” He rocks us gently. “Do you need me to stay?”

“Can we go to your room?” I whimper into his neck.

“Of course,” he replies, not letting go and carries me to his bed.

He combs his fingers through my hair as I lay facing him with our legs laced together. Seeking more comfort and contact, I inch my lips to his, grazing them on first contact. Our mouths gradually waltz together like their dancing to the beginning of The Beautiful Blue Danube by Johann Strauss II. As our kissing becomes more passionate, my left arm drifts over his hip and up his back, desperately tugging him further into me.

Suddenly alarmed by my body contradicting my brain, I jerk back. “I’m sorry… . . .” I blurt in an attempt to atone for my actions.

“It’s okay,” he soothes, coaxing my body closer.

“No, it’s not,” I verbally protest. “It’s not fair. I say one thing and then do . . . .”

“Emma, it’s okay,” he sweetly assures.

I shyly kiss him again with a lingering peck. He chases mine with one of his own.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“What?” I say confused.

Why would I want to talk about kissing him and leading him on?

“The dream,” he comments softly.

“No.”

“Maybe I can help if you tell me,” he encourages.

“Talking about it doesn’t help,” I remark. “Jared’s known for years and I still get them.” A tear pools in the corner of my eye.


“Okay,” he apologies. “I just don’t like seeing you like this.”

“I’ll be fine,” I assert with a feeling of routine that accompanies these nightmares and their aftermath. “I just need to sleep.”

Moving closer, he wraps himself around me. “Goodnight, beautiful,” his voice sings.

My heart bounces at his words and a smile develops on my face. “Goodnight, Joe.”





Twenty Seven


The steady, warmth of Joe’s breathing into my neck lures me from slumber. The combined heat from our bodies and the blankets surrounding us is causing me to sweat a little. I carefully kick the covers down, to cool my body, wanting to extend the enjoyment of being cocooned by his solid mass.